Police prepares for protest against China’s bullying
MANILA, Philippines—More than a hundred police officers will be deployed around the vicinity of the Chinese Consular Office in Makati Friday in anticipation for protest rallies against China’s apparent bullying in the West Philippine Sea, its city chief of police said.
Makati City Police Chief, Superintendent Jaime Santos said around 150 to 200 police officers will be deployed to the Chinese embassy located along Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati to maintain peace and order as rally groups led by Akbayan stage their protest Friday afternoon tagged as “Global Day of Action against China’s Bullying in the West Philippine Sea.”
He said the team is comprised of police units from the National Capital Region Police Office, Southern Police District and Makati City police officers.
Rescue teams from the Makati City Hall and fire trucks from the Bureau of Fire Protection, canine units, and a team from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal will also be deployed to compliment the anticipated 500 to 1000 protesters, Santos said.
In a statement, Akbayan said that the activity aims to mobilize Filipinos from different parts of the world for a synchronized protest against Chinese incursions in the West Philippine Sea, particularly in Panatag (Scarborough) shoal, also called Bajo De Masinloc, just off Zambales province.
Akbayan said, Filipino groups in the United States, Hong Kong, Canada, Australia, Thailand, South Africa, Germany and the United Arab Emirates have pledged support for the activity.
Several travel agencies in China have earlier suspended tour packages to the Philippines, and even warned their nationals residing in the country from going out of their houses ahead of the protest rally.
